PNP News Releases 2005

ELUSIVE KIDNAP GANG LEADER SLAIN IN SAMAR

Police intelligence operatives neutralized one of the country's Most Wanted Kidnap-for-Ransom suspects during an encounter in Western Samar early this morning.

In his report to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and DILG Secretary Angelo T Reyes, PNP Chief, Director General Edgar B Aglipay identified the slain wanted suspect as Allan BALIMBINGAN.
Aglipay told President Arroyo and Secretary Reyes that Balimbingan is listed among the country's Most Wanted KFR personalities who carried a P600, 000. 00 reward for his neutralization.

A joint police team from the CIDG National Capital Region dispatched by SSupt Federico Laciste, together with the Intelligence Division of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Police Regional Office-8, and Western Samar PNP Provincial Office were out to serve a Warrant of Arrest on Balimbingan in Barangay Hampton, Gandara, Western Samar at 5:30 AM today.

The arrest order was issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 76 of Quezon City for the kidnapping of Alberto Tan and a carnapping case.

The suspect, instead of yielding, opened fire at the arresting officers. Balimbingan died on the spot during the exchange of gunfire, while PO3 Dandy Bonita, a member of the arresting team was wounded.

Recovered from the scene of the encounter were an Ingram 9mm machine pistol, a cal.45 pistol, and an improvised rifle.

Police records identified Balimbingan as ring leader of a kidnap-for-ransom gang involved in a t least 12 kidnapping cases, most recent of which were the abductions last year of Franklin Ongsitko in Antipolo City and Alberto Tan in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Balimbingan's group is also believed responsible in the kidnap-murder of Letty Tan in June last year, and in the kidnapping of William Uy in Malabon in year 2000.

In April this year, four members of Balimbingan's group were killed while another was captured in an encounter with a joint NAKTF-ISAFP team at the R-10 Road in Navotas, Metro Manila.

According to PNP Spokesman, Senior Superintendent Leopoldo N Bataoil, the neutralization of Balimbingan is in line with the policy guidance of the PNP Chief to account for at least five percent of wanted persons per month.